17 January 2024 , 11:20
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Newcastle United could be set to make an audacious bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, as the Magpies look to strengthen their squad to qualify for Europe once again.
Sport Bild claim that the Bundesliga side could be open to negotiate over the German star's future. Newcastle have come under pressure this season with an injury-ravaged squad struggling to maintain good results across the Champions League and Premier League.
Eddie Howe is currently without Joelinton, Joe Willock and Sandro Tonali in the centre of midfield and had little place to turn as his side gave up a 2-1 lead to Manchester City at the weekend with only Lewis Hall being utilised from the bench.
Kimmich has just 18 months remaining on his deal and Bayern are keen not to see a repeat of the situation that allowed Toni Kroos move to Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2014. Bild report however, that the 28-year-old is not interested in a move this month but is open to a departure when the summer arrives.
Having started his senior career with RB Leipzig, Kimmich joined Bayern Munich in 2015 and remains a starting option under current boss Thomas Tuchel. He has made 368 appearances for the Bundesliga giants.
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The German international has a reported value in excess of £40million, a fee Newcastle have been willing to pay in recent windows. The Saudi-owned side signed Tonali in a £55m deal in the summer, before he was later banned for breaching betting rules in Italy, in addition to Harvey Barnes for £38m and Tino Livramento for a fee up to £35m.
However, despite the vast wealth of the Public Investment Fund, Newcastle now need to tread carefully to satisfy the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations that Everton and Nottingham Forest have fallen foul of. That has left former Bournemouth boss Howe with some frustration.
Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his squad this month (Richard Lee/REX/Shutterstock)Speaking last week, he said: "In an ideal world, given the freedom to act we would have brought players in already. But we're not in that situation - as Darren [Eales, Newcastle CEO] alluded to on Thursday, Financial Fair Play is a problem for us, and we're having to navigate round that.
"That's the position we're in. When does it become a problem? It's already one, but we're trying to manage through it."